[Politics] Who will be Chancellor on Jan 1st 2026?

[jcdenton08]

We've had this debate. The WFA had to be means tested rather than give it to anyone. The level at which they are cutting it off can be debated, I don't have a problem with that. But high fuel prices are a reality for everyone, not just pensioners. I would argue it should be rolled out to the needy across society.

Fundamentally though our economy should be run in such a way that pensioners can afford to live on their pension and not need additional handouts, and that is a significant failing of the last government, and probably the several before it.

The implementation of the cut isn’t even backed by Labour’s own party members. They voted to have the party reverse the decision in September. It isn’t a policy anyone likes and has minimal financial gains for massive losses, potentially in life, future votes and public image.

If they’d taken their time, said we are taking the next year to do proper cost benefit analysis, run a big campaign to get the neediest signed up for pension credits, confer with healthcare specialists to assess projected deaths, then announced say spring this year to roll out in winter 2025, it would be a completely different situation. With proper means testing already in place, a year to prepare.

Of course, I suspect governments don’t want indigent pensioners on pension credits, as if every eligible person started receiving them, it would cost many times more than just maintaining the WFA.